Living in London – Buckingham Palace

If you are moving to London and are determined to see the inside of Buckingham Palace, you’ll have to put in a great deal of work and get yourself and OBE or an MBE. Of course, you could be among the elite who manage an invitation to one of the garden parties and events held at the palace, but if you’re like me, and I’m still waiting for my invitation to the Royal Wedding, then you’ll have to be satisfied with the tourist’s view of the palace.

If you are going to be living in London during the summer then this is your chance to actually get inside the palace! The 19 official staterooms, the ballroom and the gardens are open to the public during August and September, while the Queen takes her annual holiday to the castle at Balmoral. Now is the perfect time to book, because entry to the palace is limited and you will have to pay an entry fee. You can expect to pay £17 for an adult tickets and booking are best made through The Royal Collection website.

Buckingham Palace is one of the most visited tourist sites in the world. It is the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II and is used for state occasions, ceremonial events and for official functions for the Royal Family. Constructed by John Nash and Edward Blore, the building is essentially three wings enclosing a central courtyard. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live at Buck House, as Londoners affectionately call it.

Part of living in London is the chance to immerse yourself in the history of a bygone era that is firmly rooted in the present. The Queen of England and the Royal family are among some of the most famous Royal families in the world. Whether you believe in the monarchy and their place in a modern country, the fact of the matter is that the Mall will always be thronged with people anxious to catch a glimpse of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family when they are active. There is something magical, and different about having a monarch as the head of your country.